Communications and Engagement Strategy
Introduction
North East London Cancer Alliance has a comprehensive programme of work in place covering both communications and engagement activity and patient engagement and experience.
As well as supporting the Early Diagnosis, Diagnosis and Treatment, and Personalised Cancer Care programmes, this programme is dedicated to tackling health inequalities throughout all the work of the cancer alliance.
Our vision
In 2026 to 2027, we want to build upon what we have achieved over the last three years in increasing the profile of the cancer alliances, establishing core channels and building relationships with our stakeholders.
However, we want to take this a stage further and – in line with the NHS 10-Year Plan and National Cancer Plan - allow our patients, the public, health and care professionals, community groups and stakeholders to have a pro-active input into our communications and engagement work so we can be confident it meets the needs of the local population and reduces inequalities.
Patients at the heart
In 2026 to 2027 we aim to work even more closely with our patients. This means:
More patient stories to add to the 15 already on our website: https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/patient-stories
More podcasts and videos with patients
More face-to-face engagement with patients to understand barriers and challenges in accessing cancer services and information
“Overall, we are aiming to get the right message to the right stakeholder at the right time through our communications and engagement activity”.
Paul Thomas, Communications and Engagement Lead, North East London Cancer Alliance
Communications Objectives
Throughout 2026 to 2027, we will measure performance across all our communications and engagement activities, including:
| Website authority score | Website visitors |
| Numbers of people engaged with face-to-face | Event evaluation |
| Social media reach | Number of followers |
| Google impressions | Podcast listens |
| Video views | YouTube subscribers |
Five pillars of communications and engagement activity
This year there are five strands to our communications and engagement approach. A fifth one has been added from previous years – Working with our neighbourhoods – to align with the NHS 10 Year Plan and the priority of providing care closer to home.
Raising the profile of the cancer alliance (corporate communications)
Engaging with our stakeholders (stakeholder engagement)
Working with our neighbourhoods (place-based engagement)
Supporting our programmes and projects (programme communications)
Developing our community of practice (patient engagement)
Communications and engagement strategy documents
Meet the team
Paul Thomas
Paul leads the communications and engagement activity for North East London Cancer Alliance.
He has over 20 years’ experience of working on complex communications programmes in a range of sectors, including the NHS, Met Police, central and local government, property, construction, finance, technology, and training.
Paul oversees the cancer alliance work across a range of channels, including website, podcasts, social media, face-to-face engagement and cancer awareness campaigns.
Working in partnership with local community organisations and public health colleagues, Paul is passionate about reducing health inequalities and making sure health information is accessible to all. This includes overcoming language barriers, improving digital access, providing alternative formats, use of easy read versions, and using technology and tools to improve communications.
Rita Majek
Rita is the Communications and Engagement Project Officer for the North East London Cancer Alliance. With a background in public health, healthcare communications and project management, she supports a wide range of engagement activities and events that promote cancer awareness, early diagnosis and improved patient experience across North East London.
Her role includes creating digital and social media content, coordinating community engagement initiatives, and working closely with colleagues, healthcare professionals, patients and partner organisations to amplify key cancer messages and make them accessible online. Rita is also responsible for maintaining and updating the NELCA website, ensuring the continuous development of the Alliance's digital presence.
Through webpage development, content creation, newsletters, events and social media campaigns, she helps connect local communities with vital cancer information, services and support. Rita is passionate about reducing health inequalities and ensuring that cancer information reaches diverse communities in ways that are engaging, inclusive and easy to understand.
“It’s always a pleasure to be out in the community, sharing insights on the importance of completing the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey. These conversations help raise awareness about how patient feedback directly shapes and improves cancer services.”
Rita Majek, Communications and Engagement, North East London Cancer Alliance